Northern Food Development Program

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OVERVIEW

This Program provides funding for commercial producers, harvesters and processors of food in the NWT, with the goal of building the commercial food production and processing sectors and increasing the availability of local food to northern consumers.

Products include agriculture, agri-food, commercial fishing sectors, and wild food harvesting, including non-timber forest products but not including big game, small game, or furbearing species.

FUNDING AVAILABLE

Infrastructure, Equipment and Supplies:

  • Design, construction, and expansion of facilities (including harvesting, processing, storage, greenhouse, sales infrastructure)
  • Equipment or technology aimed at increasing yields, improving efficiency or profitability (processing and packaging equipment, alternative energy technology, etc.)

Agriculture Specific:

  • Land development costs (clearing, drainage, irrigation system, soil development, etc.)
  • Initial livestock costs including materials and supplies (fencing, watering, feeding, housing, etc.). For livestock projects, an Environmental Farm Plan may be required.
  • Input freight assistance $0.30 / loaded kilometer (feed, seed, animals, fertilizers, compost and amendments)
  • Product transportation costs

Fishing specific:

  • Boat, motors, nets, etc.,
  • Water safety equipment
  • Winter equipment support

Marketing

  • Market planning and promotion costs
  • Product and packaging design and development
  • Costs related to participating in community market events (such as farmer’s markets) or trade shows (excluding conferences)

Capacity Building

Specialized training including costs associated with workshops, online courses and professional development.

  • Staff training and development:
    75% of project costs to a maximum of $7,500 per worker (in-kind expenses are not eligible).
  • Internship:
    Up to 75% of the intern wages to a maximum of $7,500 per intern (can include in-kind wage expenses such as room and board for the intern - funding will only be provided for actual expenses paid).
  • Mentorship:
    Up to 75% of expenses incurred for the mentorship to a maximum of $7,500

Sales Rebate

  • The rebate is ‘cash back’ to the producer for a total of 25% of their reported sales from the previous season for eligible applicants with sales of under $10,000.
  • Rebates can be applied for whenever the harvesters’ season sales are completed (usually in November for seasonal growers, variable for wild food harvesters) up until March 31st of that year, depending on funding availability. Producers should notify the ITI Business Development Officer or Economic Development Officer in their region of their interest in this rebate and submit their season’s receipts as soon as possible to ensure there are available funds.
  • Accessing the NFDP Sales Rebate does not negate the applicant from accessing other support for Eligible Activities under the NFDP.

Utilities Rebate

  • This rebate will provide 10% - 15% subsidy on reported sales up to $2,500 in support for producers.
  • The following rates apply to the various scale of producer:
    • $1,000 – $5,000 in sales – 10% of gross sales
    • $5,001 – $10,000 in sales – 15% of gross sales
    • $10,001 + in sales - $2,500 maximum contribution
  • Rebates can be applied for whenever the producers’ season sales are completed up until March 31st of that year, depending on funding availability. Producers should notify their Regional Business Development Officer or Economic Development Officer of their intent to participate in the NFDP Utilities Subsidy and submit their season’s receipts as soon as possible to ensure there are available funds.
  • Accessing the NFDP Utilities Rebate does not negate the applicant from accessing other support for Eligible Activities under the NFDP.

Eligible Expenses

Costs must be directly related to the project. Financial documentation verifying expenditures should be provided. An in-kind requirement of up to 10% of total project costs may be required (can include sweat equity). In-kind costs must be clearly documented and reflect fair market value of related expense.

 

Ineligible Activities/Expenses

Ineligible costs include the purchase, acquisition or payment of: assets previously owned by the applicant, shareholder or partner in the project; wages or payments to the applicant, shareholders, family members or businesses related by common effective control; land; and, assets that have been purchased previously with the assistance of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) or the Government of Canada unless the amount of assistance is declared and deducted from the fair market value.

How to Apply:

  1. Contact your regional office.